Whoever Initiates an Evil Practice

Ibn Masud (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “The first son of Adam takes a share of the guilt of every one who murders another wrongfully because he was the initiator of committing murder.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The son of Adam in the Hadith is said to be Qabil. Allah tells us about his story in Surat Al-Ma’idah Verses 27-31.

Commentary:

This Hadith gives us an idea how serious is the crime of initiating an evil, which is then followed by others. One who initiates an evil would be sinful for all those who follow him in that crime till the Day of Resurrection. The safest course, therefore, is that one should abstain from heresy and stick to obedience only.